Anyone with experience of moving from the UK to Dallas (ideally, Flower Mound) (Plano: house)

[obinne]

My husband and I are planning to move to Flower Mound from the UK early next year. He is American and spent several years in Dallas and Chicago although has been in London for the last 10 years.

We have two little ones (4 and 2 years old) and I'm keen to hear from anyone who has made a similar move. I have visited Dallas a few times (but only for a couple of days each time) but have no experience of living/working there, particularly with a young family.

We both run our own businesses; he's a filmmaker and I run a coaching company working with individuals, couples and teams here in London.

Any shared experiences, reassurances etc would be greatly appreciated!

Best wishes,
BC

[Rakin]

I've been to the UK a few times, does that count ?

Flower Mound is one of my favorite cities. Very family / kid friendly and one of the prettier areas in North TX.
From FM you can get all over the DFW area fairly easy.

If this market continues, be prepared to struggle finding a home in FM because they are selling so fast with multiple offers.
You may need to be here in temporary living to see the homes as they come on the market.

[4Movingeast]

Originally Posted by Rakin

I've been to the UK a few times, does that count ?

Flower Mound is one of my favorite cities. Very family / kid friendly and one of the prettier areas in North TX.
From FM you can get all over the DFW area fairly easy.

If this market continues, be prepared to struggle finding a home in FM because they are selling so fast with multiple offers.
You may need to be here in temporary living to see the homes as they come on the market.

This ^^ most likely what we are going to end up doing too. Welcome to TX!

[obinne]

Thanks everyone! We're heading to Dallas in a few weeks to nose around and explore our potential new neighbourhood.

[lifofifo]

We moved from London to Plano in February this year. Curious re: why you decided on Flower Mound. We're loving Plano and couldn't be happier with the choice! Planning to buy a place some time next year around Plano (Frisco, Allen, McKinney).

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by obinne

My husband and I are planning to move to Flower Mound from the UK early next year. He is American and spent several years in Dallas and Chicago although has been in London for the last 10 years.

We have two little ones (4 and 2 years old) and I'm keen to hear from anyone who has made a similar move. I have visited Dallas a few times (but only for a couple of days each time) but have no experience of living/working there, particularly with a young family.

We both run our own businesses; he's a filmmaker and I run a coaching company working with individuals, couples and teams here in London.

Any shared experiences, reassurances etc would be greatly appreciated!

Best wishes,
BC

I lived for years in various European countries, the UK included.

What do you want to know? I can't say anything about FM, don't know it at all.

The things that gave me the most trouble upon returning:

Driving on the right.
Remembering which side the steering wheel was on...I frequently ended up in the passenger seat of my car wondering where the steering wheel went.
Courgettes are called "zucchini" here.
Aubergines are called "eggplants" here.
Swedes are "rutabagas."
Burned-up, used-up cigarettes here are "butts" not "f@g ends."

If you need a fix of Walkers Salt & Vinegar, Bakewell Tarts, or a small assortment of other UK goods, you can get them at the British Emporium in Grapevine. You can also get Branstons Pickle, HP Sauce, and some British candy at Kroger. World Market also has a decent selection.

Sadly there is no such thing as Marks & Spencer here. Nobody imports their products either. M&S also will not ship food to the US.

[obinne]

Just got back from a short research trip to Dallas and still seriously considering a move.

@lifofifo: we already have a house in Flower Mound, so it'll be the ideal starting point for us. I have heard great things about Plano too> need to think about my coaching practice too, as my background is in financial services and most of my clients (in the UK) come from that sector.

@BigDGeek: thanks for that initial lesson/heads-up: I know there is lots for me to learn. I'm still intrigued that everyone seems to drive everywhere in FM! I hardly ever drive here in London and prefer to walk/jump on a bus/take the underground/train so should be quite a transition for me...not to mention THAT steering wheel location:-)

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by obinne

I'm still intrigued that everyone seems to drive everywhere in FM! I hardly ever drive here in London and prefer to walk/jump on a bus/take the underground/train so should be quite a transition for me...not to mention THAT steering wheel location:-)

Pretty much everywhere you live in TX you'll need a car unless you do live uptown. Even then it helps to have a car if you want to take a trip inside the state. Our mass transit is a work in process but has many years before it reaches a London type system.

This is probably true outside of maybe 5 major cities in the US like NYC, Chicago, ect.